Letter of Marque
James
Madison, PRESIDENT
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
To all who shall see these presents, Greetings:
BE IT KNOWN
that in pursuance of an act of congress passed on the twenty-sixth day of
June one thousand eight hundred and twelve, I have commissioned, and by
these presents do commission, the private armed Brig called the
(1.
Vessel's Name)
Prince of Neufchatel of the burden of three
hundred and nineteen tons, or thereabouts, owned by
(2. Owners’ Name(s)
John Ordronaux and Peter E. Trevall
of the city and
state of
(City) New York and
(2. Owner's
Name) Joseph Beyelle of
(3. City's
Name) Philadelphia
in
the state of (4. State) Pennsylvania mounting eighteen carriage guns, and navigated by one hundred
and twenty-nine men, hereby authorizing
(5. Captain’s
Name) Nicholas Millin Captain, and
(6. Lieutenant’s Name) William Stetson
Lieutenant of the said Brig and the other officers and crew thereof to: Subdue, seize and take any
armed or unarmed British vessel, public or private, which shall be found
within the jurisdictional limits of the United States or elsewhere on the
high seas, or within the waters of the British dominions.
And each
captured vessel with her apparel, guns and appurtenances, and the goods or
effects which shall be found on board the same, together with all the
British persons and others who shall be found acting on board, to bring
within some port of the United States;
And also to retake any vessel, goods or
effects of the people of the United States, which may have been captured
by any British armed vessel, in order that proceedings may be had
concerning each capture or recapture in due form of law, and as to right
and justice shall appertain.
The said (5. Captain’s Name) Nicholas Millin is further
authorized to detain, seize and take all vessels and effects, to
whomsoever belonging, which shall be liable thereto according to the law
of Nations and the rights of the United States as a power at war.
And to
bring the same within some port of the United States in order that due
proceedings may be had thereon. This commission to continue in force
during the pleasure of the President of the United States for the time
being.
GIVEN under my hand and the seal of the United
States of America at the city of Washington, the twenty second day of
December in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and fourteen
and the independence of the said states the thirty ninth.
By the President, James Madison
James Monroe, Secretary of State
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